Be Not Afraid

Newsletter

Printed Version of November 2006 Newsletter

THE SACRED LITURGY

            “Your fathers ate the manna in the desert and they are dead; but this is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die.  I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.  Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world”  John 6:  49-51

            This is no ordinary bread; It is the Lord Himself who we receive in Holy Communion, the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ, our savior Who is God! Whether we receive just the host, or the host and the consecrated wine (the blood of Christ), we receive the whole Christ.  This is because the host is the body of Christ and the body includes the blood. 

            To believe that Holy Communion is actually and truly Christ Himself is at the heart of our faith as Catholics.  This is why it is of the utmost importance to receive Holy Communion properly at all times.           It is the duty of the Church to safeguard the Holy Eucharist at all times and to preserve this holy mystery for all time.  This is why there are rules such as one which states that the communicant must consume the host immediately upon receiving it.  In the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal), paragraph 160, we read:  “The faithful are not permitted to take the consecrated bread or the sacred chalice by themselves and, still less, to hand them from one to another.  The norm for reception of Holy Communion in the diocese of the United States is standing.  Communicants should not be denied Holy Communion because they kneel.  Rather, such instances should be address pastorally, by providing the faithful with proper catechesis on the reasons for this norm.” “When receiving Holy Communion, the communicant bows his or her head before the Sacrament as a gesture of reverence and receives the Body of the Lord from the minister.  The consecrated host may be received either on the tongue or in the hand, at the discretion of each communicant.  When Holy Communion is received under both kinds, a sign of reverence (a reverent bow) is also made before receiving the Precious Blood.” (GIRM 160)

In Redemptionis Sacramentum we read: 

*           RS 91 -a communicant cannot be denied Holy Communion solely on the grounds that they wish to receive the Eucharist kneeling or standing. 

*           R.S. 94  tells us that it is not licit for the faithful to take the host or the cup by themselves or to hand from one to the other, specifically mentioning that this practice between newlyweds at a Nuptial Mass is not allowed. 

*           R.S. 89 we read that it is preferable for the faithful to receive hosts consecrated in the same Mass. 

*           R.S. 93 tells us:  “The communion plate for the communion of the faithful should be retained, so as to avoid the danger of the sacred host or some fragment of it falling.”

DOES OUR SUNDAY WORSHIP EXTEND BEYOND THE CHURCH DOORS?

During Respect life month 2005, Bishop Murphy reminded us what it means to be Catholic and pro-life:  “We do not pray at Sunday Mass for an end to abortion and then support programs and political leaders who are pro-choice or pro-abortion.  That shows a breakdown in our own integrity and a practical denial before the Lord of what we know to be true and good”.  VOTE PRO LIFE NOV.7

PRAYER FOR THE POPE

            Christ Jesus, King and Lord of the Church, In your presence I renew my unconditional loyalty to your Vicar on earth, the Pope.  In him you have chosen to show us the safe and sure path that we must follow in the midst of confusion, uneasiness and unrest.  I firmly believe that through him you govern, teach and sanctify us; with him as our shepherd, we form the Church:  One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.

            Grant me the grace to love, live and spread faithfully our Holy Father’s teachings.  Watch over his life, enlighten his mind, strengthen his spirit, defend him from calumny and evil.  Calm the erosive winds of infidelity and disobedience.  Hear our prayer and keep your Church united around him, firm in her belief and action that she may truly be the instrument of your redemption.  AMEN    from:  The Legion of Christ www.LEGIONOFCHRIST.ORG

 Prayer is the best weapon we possess, the key that opens the heart of God. – St. Padre Pio

De-Funding Abortion

    Many companies we all buy from in everyday life fund abortion through corporate donations to Planned Parenthood.  Experience shows that boycotts work.  Companies do not want to be listed on a Pro-Life Boycott list and will STOP funding abortion if enough people join the boycott.  Why not check the list and see which products you can avoid; then contact that company and let them know why you will not be purchasing their product.  Ask them to contact you if they make a decision to stop funding Planned Parenthood so that you can resume enjoying their products.  For more information about these companies (some are:  Kraft, Liz Clairborne, Johnson & Johnson, Lenox), visit www.fightpp.org

THE FULLNESS OF TRUTH

Richard Thompson was the prosecutor of the infamous mercy killer, Jack Kevorkian.  During a public debate on whether to legalize physician assisted suicide, he read two of Pope John Paul II’s encyclicals, “Veritatis Splendor” (The Splendor of Truth) and “Evangelium Vitae” (The Gospel of Life).  This led him to see and believe that within the Catholic faith resided the fullness of truth.  Richard Thompson is now the Founder and Chief Counsel of “The Thomas More Law Center” defending Catholics from the ACLU and other anti-Christian organizations.

THE ANTIDOTE TO THE CULTURE OF DEATH IS CONSECRATION

            To whom do you belong?  If this question is answered in truth, the entire problem of the culture of death would disappear!  If the child belongs to the mother, then the mother can decide what she wants to do with her child.  If we belong to the State, then the State can tell us what to do.  If we belong to ourselves, then we can decide to end our own lives if we feel that it is a good idea to do so.  However, if we belong to God, then not only is my life sacred, but yours is as well.  Therefore, I cannot take my own life and I cannot take your life!  I cannot take your life precisely because God never stops loving you.  Since you belong to God, consecrate yourself and all your loved ones so that you will always have a lifeline to the Lord.  (taken from the preaching of Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life)

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA

Holy Mother of Czestochowa, Thou art full of grace, goodness and mercy.  I consecrate to Thee all my thoughts, words and actions – my soul and body.  I beseech Thy blessings and especially prayers for my salvation.   Today, I consecrate myself to Thee, Good Mother, totally – with body and soul amid joy and sufferings to obtain for myself and others Thy blessings on this earth and eternal life in Heaven, AMEN

The foundation of PEACE is:  Truth, Life, Holiness, Grace, Justice, and Love     Father Frank Pavone 

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION – Wednesdays – from 3:00 – 6:00 pm

St. John the Baptist RC Church, Wading River, New York

Wednesdays – from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm & Every Saturday 3:30 – 4:30 pm

St. Anthony’s RC Church, Rocky Point, New York

WHY EUCHARISTIC ADORATION?

Eucharistic adoration can be used as an act of reparation for the indifference, neglect, and ingratitude among most men and women in the world toward all that Jesus has done for us and even often among those whom it has honored with a special love.  Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary that He had greater sorrow over this ingratitude than over all the sufferings He endured in his Passion. Through grateful, compassionate love offered to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we can at least offer some consolation to the Heart which has loved us so much.  Just as Mary Magdalene poured ointment over the feet of Jesus and His Sacred Head, we likewise offer to Him adoration, love, humility, and loyalty.  With Veronica, we desire to console Jesus for all the abuse that has been heaped upon Him.  With His blessed Mother, St. John and all the loyal and devoted friends standing at the foot of the cross, we will stand by Jesus faithfully to make up for His many loved ones who have deserted Him.

            To the Heart of Jesus, most worthy of adoration, be praise, thanksgiving, and consolation throughout the whole world, both now and forever, AMEN             (adapted from “Daily Prayers” booklet, Priests of the Sacred Heart)

JOYFUL WITNESS

Groups like NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood continue to insist that mainstream America is pro-abortion and pro-lifers are “a small, vocal minority”.   Today, make a commitment never to be silent.  In your day to day life there are opportunities to affirm life.  Most importantly, maintain a life affirming attitude.  Once a young woman learned that she was pregnant with her fifth child, an unplanned surprise baby.  Although she was pro-life, her youngest child was just starting pre-school and she was feeling a little down as people had been saying things to her such as “Wow, you’re starting all over again?”  Then one day she told an acquaintance that she was expecting.  The woman was all excited for her and gave her a big hug, expressing true joy at the news. This reaction made the pregnant mother realize her blessing and in fact made all the difference in the world.  Never hesitate  to express your pro life witness with joy!

OUR LADY’S MESSAGE OF MERCY TO THE WORLD

            Pray one Hail Mary slowly from the heart before reading this message from our heavenly Mother:  “My dear child, I am letting you come very close to me.  You are granted special grace in this.  My child, I accept all that you give Me and love that which comes from your heart.  My child, please continue to pray, with your prayer you help everyone and I am happy.  I bless you! Peace!

            My dear child! Am I not always the one that hold you up even though you think the matter is beyond Me?  But you don’t know then your Mother as well as you should!  This is why half the time you are uneasy about everything and the other half trying to sort it all out by yourself and not even once turning to Heaven for help, as if only everything depended on you!  Therefore I tell you, with me you have everything you need.  Pray! Don’t worry!  Pray! Don’t be looking for impossible answers, just Pray! And Pray some more and all your problems will go away.  PRAY!  I bless you.”  (taken from little blue book entitled “All through Mary”, published by Oyster Press, Whitstable, Ireland)  To purchase this book, write to

 Devotion to Mother of Divine Mercy

6 Hopkins Lane   Armonk, New York   10504    c/o Lucille Savoca

 WAL MART

            We all love to shop at Wal Mart but unfortunately  we have learned through the American Family Association (AFA) that Wal Mart joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).  They gave two large grants to this organization and were rewarded with a position on the Board.  Wal Mart also announced that they would give preference to homosexual-owned business in purchasing products.  The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage. 

            The AFA did a search of Wal Mart’s website and found numerous pro-gay books for sale including gay (1,148), lesbian (468), transgender (40), bisexual (38) and gay marriage (26).

            Take action by e-mailing or calling your local Wal Mart manager to express your displeasure.

            Wal Mart is also selling the morning after pill (also known as emergency contraception which also  works as an abortive pill) in their pharmacies without a prescription.  This pill is dangerous to women, especially teenagers whose reproductive systems are not fully developed and deadly to the unborn child.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS TO VOTE IN BALTIMORE

            The US Bishops are working on a document which will clarify the Church’s teaching regarding gay marriage. 

            The Boston Globe stated that the Bishops will vote on a proposal that will condemn “scorn and hatred” of gays and lesbians but would also declare that gay couples should not be allowed to marry or adopt children, that baptizing the children of same sex couples presents a “pastoral concern”, and that the Church has the right to deny “roles of service to gays and lesbians who are not celibate”.  This article further states that the Church does not refuse the sacrament of baptism to these children but there must be a well founded hope that the children will be brought up Catholic.

            The document says that homosexual acts are “always sinful” and “morally wrong”.  Referring to homosexual acts, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2357) states:  “They are contrary to the natural law.  They close the sexual act to the gift of life.  They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity.  Under no circumstances can they be approved”.  

            Marriage is a gift from God, not a man made institution.  The definition of marriage cannot be changed simply to accommodate man’s desires.  It stems from Genesis 1:27-28  “God created man in the image of Himself, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them”.  God blessed them, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and conquer it’”

            Jesus further sanctified marriage by living in a family with a mother and a father and by performing His first public miracle at the wedding feast of Cana.

            All men and women are called to live chastely, whatever your state in life may be.  Whether you are heterosexual or homosexual, If you are not married, the Church calls you to be celibate.

Be Not Afraid Newsletter

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